Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase agrees future McLaren switch
Max Verstappen’s long-standing Red Bull race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has reportedly agreed a lucrative deal to join Formula 1 rivals McLaren for the 2028 season.
The Frenchman, affectionately known as ‘GP’ within the paddock, is expected to depart the Milton Keynes-based outfit at the conclusion of his current contract next year.
This development represents a significant blow to the Dutch driver, who has relied on Lambiase’s crucial guidance over the team radio since his promotion to the senior squad a decade ago.
Exodus continues at Red Bull
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, this impending switch to Woking is intrinsically linked to the anticipated departure of current McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.
Stella has been heavily associated with a future move to Ferrari, potentially paving the way for Lambiase to step into a senior management role.
The experienced engineer had previously stated he could not envision acting as a race engineer for any driver other than the reigning world champion.
However, making the transition into a team principal or directorial position represents an entirely different career proposition, and one that reportedly comes with a substantial financial increase.
Familiar faces await at Woking
A move to the reigning Constructors’ Champions will allow Lambiase to reunite with several former colleagues who have already made the identical transition.
Chief designer Rob Marshall and chief strategist Will Courtenay both recently traded Red Bull for McLaren, strengthening the technical structure at the British marquee.
These latest structural shifts compound a highly challenging 2026 campaign for the energy drink giant, which has already endured a disappointing start to the new track action.
Mounting pressure behind the scenes
The Milton Keynes operation has witnessed a mass exodus of senior personnel over recent years, beginning with the departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner in the summer of 2025.
Commercial and communications directors Oliver Hughes and Paul Smith swiftly followed Horner out the door, while key technical figures like Guillaume Dezoteux were subsequently poached by Ferrari.
With technical director Pierre Wache now reportedly facing mounting internal pressure, questions will inevitably continue to swirl regarding Verstappen’s own long-term commitment to the struggling project.
